Crystal Palace have relied on a number of dependable defenders throughout their Premier League history, but only a few have built truly remarkable appearance records. Joel Ward, Tyrick Mitchell, Scott Dann, Marc Guehi and Damien Delaney form Palace’s top five defenders for Premier League appearances.
1. Joel Ward – 306 appearances
Joel Ward stands at the top of Crystal Palace’s list with 306 Premier League appearances. The former Palace captain spent more than a decade at Selhurst Park after joining from Portsmouth in 2012 and became one of the defining defenders of the club’s modern Premier League era. The Premier League itself described Ward as having made 305 Premier League appearances, more than any other Palace player, when he departed the club in 2025.
Ward’s consistency was remarkable. He appeared regularly at both right-back and in other defensive roles and was part of the Palace side that established itself as a long-term Premier League club. His final league appearance came against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 20 May 2025.
2. Tyrick Mitchell – 212 appearances
Tyrick Mitchell has risen rapidly to second among Palace defenders with 212 Premier League appearances. The academy graduate made his senior breakthrough in 2020 and has since established himself as one of the club’s most reliable left-backs. Current records list Mitchell on 212 appearances, with his latest coming on 20 September 2026.
His rise is particularly impressive given the relatively short period in which he has accumulated the appearances. Mitchell reached the 150-game mark in 2024. His continued involvement means his total remains capable of increasing further.
3. Scott Dann – 164 appearances
Scott Dann occupies third place with 164 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace. The centre-back joined the Eagles in 2014 and became an important part of Palace’s defence during the club’s early years as an established Premier League side. His final league appearance came in May 2021.
Dann’s physical presence and experience made him a regular at the heart of Palace’s defence for several seasons. His 164 appearances put him comfortably ahead of several other long-serving Palace defenders, including James Tomkins and Patrick van Aanholt.
4. Marc Guehi – 152 appearances
Marc Guehi is fourth with 152 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace. The England international joined Palace from Chelsea in 2021 and quickly became a central figure in the Eagles’ defence, running through January 2026.
His importance to Palace was reflected by his appointment as club captain. By January 2026, Guehi had become only the 12th player to reach 150 Premier League appearances for Palace and the fourth defender to do so, following Ward, Mitchell and Dann.
5. Damien Delaney – 130 appearances
Damien Delaney completes the top five with 130 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace. The Republic of Ireland international was a key member of the Palace defence after arriving from Ipswich Town in 2014.
Delaney’s Palace career lasted until February 2018, but his 130 league appearances remain enough to secure a place among the club’s five most-used defenders in Premier League history.
Ward’s 306 remains the benchmark, while Mitchell is the only current-era defender among the top five with the opportunity to continue climbing the list.
All of this information has been taken from the official website of 11v11.
